A Bit of PFI History

Progressive Fest Illinois is an idea originally conceived of by Dr. Hal Snyder - and inspired by Wisconsin's "Fighting Bob" fest.

Our first annual Progressive Fest Illinois was held in Big Rock, IL at the Marvel Davis farm, in October of 2006. Attendees included Gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney of the Green party, John Laesch and Ruben Zamora, both Democratic candidates contending for the US House IL 4th district seat formerly held by Republican Denny Hastert. (Interestingly, Marvel Davis's farm is only a mile from Denny Hastert's farm.) It was also attended by several members of Progressive Democrats of America - Chicago, and of course, at least 15 members of Progressive Democrats of Illinois, the little organization that put this thing together after endorsing Dr. Hal's idea.

The second annual Progressive Fest Illinois was also held at the Marvel Davis farm in October, 2007. Attendees included John Laesch, again contending for the Illinois 14th seat, Christine Cegelis, former IL 16th US House candidate, Code Pink, Women In Black, and multiple PDI members.

A bit of the 2007 Itinerary courtesy of Vote Chicago:

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Progressive Fest Illinois

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The location is the Marvel Davis Farm — 47W066 Jericho Rd. in Big Rock, about one mile south of Denny Hastert’s place in Kane County, IL. Take either US Hwy. 30 or IL Rte. 47 to Jericho Road near Big Rock and Sugar Grove, turn north - it’s about 6 or 7 miles down on the right-hand side. Look for the sign. (Call 815-483-8878 for help.)

Speakers list and other information below the fold.
Speakers include the following:

• Dan Stafford, PDI, “Sustainable Housing”
• Hal Snyder, PNHP, “Affordable Health Care for Everyone”
• Christine Cegelis, Greater Chicago Caucus, “Progressive Politics in Illinois”
• Dirk Enger, Midwest Homeless Shelter for Vets, “Looking After Our Returning Veterans”
• Mark Burger, Illinois Solar Energy Association, “Solar and Wind Power in Illinois”
• Julia Field, Code Pink and Jay Becker O’Neil, World Can’t Wait, “Dissent and Direct Action in Today’s Political Scene”

There will also be guitar music by Merv Collins, progressive poetry open mic, and more. The full schedule is here.

Admission is free, but you can register here just to give the organizers an idea of how many will be coming. Bring a picnic lunch — no food will be available at the event.

Madison Capital Times stories on Progressive Fest Illinois can be read here and here.
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Marvel Davis's farm is a beautiful setting, rural, with plenty of room and an electrified, two-level 19th-century renovated barn for use. Marvel Davis was kind enough to allow PDI to hold this event gratis, and we are all very grateful to her for those years.

A big thank you to all who made PFI a success in those two first years!